Without the usual off-field chatter, Rory McIlroy used his pre-championship press conference at Valhalla Golf Club to talk strictly about golf, shedding light on his determination to compartmentalise and deal with what lies ahead in the upcoming Major; it lasted just over eight minutes. The 35-year-old, from Northern Ireland, who has recently filed for divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll, is making a comeback to the Major scene a decade after his last of four championship wins, with a strong resolve to channel his focus mainly on the game.
Simultaneously balancing his play with contribution to the ongoing recovery of men’s professional golf face post a rift between the PGA Tour and LIV, McIlroy is not alone in showing tremendous form approaching this championship. Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, has claimed championship titles in four of his last five tournaments, inclusive of the Masters. McIlroy, now sitting at world number two, has triumphed in his last two tournaments, including the Zurich Classic and the Wells Fargo. Both of these victories for McIlroy took place in the absence of Scheffler, who was expecting the birth of his child.
However, the championship is not solely a contest between these two. Defending champion Brooks Koepka, together with Ludvig Åberg, who’s sporting a supportive knee brace due to injury, and Olympic champion Xander Schauffele, among others, also have their sights firmly set on the title. Especially Schauffele, who aims to recover from his defeat by McIlroy at the Quail Hollow final round. Undoubtedly, the race boasts of many hopefuls not just a competitive duo.
Last time the PGA was held at Valhalla in 2014, McIlroy – along with fellow Irish professionals Shane Lowry and Pádraig Harrington – seized the win, making him the third youngest player after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods to claim four Majors. However, the 25-year-old’s pursuit toward enhancing his career milestones has encountered a lean period. A decade of scoring 10 top-5s and 20 top-10s without reaching the victory stand revealed his struggle.
But could this be McIlroy’s moment again? Considering his personal conviction, it could indeed be.
McIlroy isn’t just a great golfer, but a person with the ability to treat the sport as his priority, whether as an essential spokesman in defending the PGA Tour upon LIV’s induction or as a key contributor behind-the-scenes. His skill to focus on the game, especially in a high-stakes week, is remarkable.
Winning, and the subsequent boost a player receives, is in his favour. His recent victory in the Zurich, together with Lowry, which he described as “enjoyable”, and his triumph in Charlotte showcased the growth in his game performance following a dry season.
From a technical perspective, McIlroy’s confidence is bolstered when executing successful three-quarter shots, wedge shots, and iron shots, as well as handling the driver. “Upon seeing these shots successfully played and lined up as intended, it significantly heightens my confidence,” McIlroy confessed, pointing out that the driver – as it has always been – is the paramount instrument in his arsenal.
Regarding his TaylorMade Qi10 driver, McIlroy candidly expressed his satisfaction: “It is likely the best driver I’ve used in recent years. I’ve become very comfortable with it, and I believe some improvements have been made in my driving technique. The excellent shots are still outstanding, but the flawed ones aren’t as harmful; hence, the off-target shots aren’t as sporadic.”
“I believe that self-assurance and momentum play a pivotal role, and, luckily, I’m abundant in both leading up to this week. It’s all about maintaining these factors and opting to play uninhibitedly. Considering the breadth of this golf course, it encourages freer gameplay – a feature not too different from Quail Hollow last week. With its enormous corridors, it provides an opportunity to confidently tee off and seize your chances,” said the golf player.
Some structural modifications have been made to the golf course since McIlroy’s 2014 victory. It plays slightly longer and the green sports different types of grass. Nonetheless, the anticipated weather pattern and potential for more rain could result in it playing longer. Yet, the greens will likely be more amenable and softer.
Scheffler, who has recently returned to the tour for the first time since his victories at the Masters and the Heritage, gave the impression of enjoying the upcoming challenge at Valhalla, just like McIlroy. After his wins, Scheffler took some time off to enjoy family life as he awaited the birth of his first child. Now, he’s ready to get back on track.
“Spending time at home gave me a chance to reflect on my career and life journey. Marrying my high school love, embarking on a professional golfing career, which I’ve always wanted to do, it’s surreal. Holding my newborn while my green jacket hung in the closet was an immense moment for me at home. Nonetheless, my inherent competitive streak doesn’t let me dwell too much. I did everything I could to prepare for this week’s play,” Scheffler shared.
The attention is now fixated on the Wanamaker – focusing on both McIlroy and Scheffler, along with all the other players.